Automatic liquid dispensing device



Aug. 10, 1943.

B. F. TITUS AUTOMATIC LIQUID DISPENSING DEVICE Filed Nov. 23, 1940 3Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. B054 1'? 7777/6 9%. way

Aug. 10, 1943. B. F. TITUS AUTOMATIC LIQUID DISPENSING DEVICE Filed Nov.23, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 PUMP 1N1 'LA'TOR. 50:1 E 77703 Patented Aug.10, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE AUTOMATIC LIQUID DISPENSING DEVICEBuel F. Titus, San Francisco, Calif. Application November 23, 1940,Serial No. 366,805

4 Claims.

This invention relates to automatic liquid dispensin-g devices and hasparticular reference to devices of the character used in dispensingmotor fuel in pump to vehicle tank transactions.

One of the principal objects of this invention is the provision of adispenser which will be useful in dispensing a predetermined quantity ofgasoline from a station pump to the supply tank of a motor vehicle as awholly automatic operation and without the aid and attention of anoperator, once the mechanism has been set in operation.

It is well known that in this day and age much thought and attention isbeing given to the services rendered by gas station operators. Themodern motorist no longer purchase and receives a mere supply ofgasoline. n the contrary he has been taught that in addition to therefilling of the tank of his car, he will receive gratuitously a checkon his oil and water sup- .ply, have his tires checked, his windshieldcleaned and countless other minor services rendered to insure themaximum operating efliciency of his vehicle.

These gratuitous services, while wholly incidental to the dispensing ofmotor fuel, are regarded as important. The rendering of these services,however, involves two factors to which much considerationhas been given.First, the delay it causes the motorist, and, secondly, the added coststo the seller of the fuel when more than one operator is assigned to asingle vehicle in an eifort to speed up operations.

It has been found from observation and study that the measureddispensing of motor fuel consumesconsiclerable time; in fact,substantially if not fully the equivalent of the time spent in renderingthe average number of incidental gratuitous services, some of which havebeen enumerated herein. Consequently, there exists a need for suitableautomatic dispensing means to the end that the dispensing of gasolinemay be economically speeded up, and that the dispensing attendant may befree to perform some of the incidental services during the time in whichthe tank is being filled with fuel.

The present invention oiiers a solution to the above-stated problem inthe form of an apparatus comprising the combination of a metered pumpwith pre-set gallonage control means and an automatic cut-off dispensingnozzle. Additionally, the present invention includes a novel overheadsupport for the dispensing nozzle as a means of speeding up theabove-mentioned car servicing operations.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent as thisspecification proceeds.

In the drawings forming a part hereof:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of an apparatus embodying the principles ofthe invention, illustrat- 1 ing its use schematically,

Fig. 2 is a vertical section through the automatic dispensing nozzle,

Fig. 3 is a wiring diagram, and

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatical view of a push button control means utilizedwith this invention.

The invention forming the subject-matter of this application employs adiaphragm as a means of actuating the automatic dispenser controlprovided herein to prevent overflowing or" the vehicle tank.

The device of this invention contemplates the use of closed electricalcircuits as prerequisite to the dispensing of the liquids, and thebreaking of the circuit to automatically cut oil the flow of liquids,which is the opposite of the conventional system wherein dependence isplaced upon the closing of the circuit and the presence of electricalenergy to stop the flow of liquids. It will be noted that in thisdevice, should an electrical circuit be broken for any reason eitherthrough failure of a wire or connector, or through failure of electricalenergy, that the flow of liquid will concurrently be stopped, and thatthe device cannot be started in operation unless all circuits areintact. I believe my idea to be the safer of the two and more in linewith sound engineering practice.

Additionally, the device of this invention contemplates the enclosedmounting of the diaphragm-actuated switch between two diaphragms in theautomatic cut-off means to prevent the switch from arcing in thepresence of the explosive vapors incidental to a gasoline dispensingapparatus.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 1 there is included a.conventional pump housing l0 supporting an overhead arm H for pivotalmovement. The arm N forms a housing and encases a liquid flow line 12,an air suction line l3 and a suitable cable ll of electrical conductors.At its outer or free end the arm ll terminates in a guide block I5 inwhich there is received for sliding vertical adjustment a telescopingpost iii, the latter carrying at its lower end what may be generallydesignated as a control or filling head l'l. Any equivalent structure,such as a hollow post slotted to care for cable 21 and sheave 26 mightbe used to support head l7. An elbow joint 9 is provided in arm I l forgreater flexibility in movement to the end that filling head Il may beused anywhere within the radius of arm II extended.

Vertical adjustment of the post I6, and hence the filling head I1, isaccomplished by the use of counterbalancing means including a sheave 25in the swivel joint of arm II to pump housing I0, sheaves 8 in the elbowjoint 9, and a sheave 26 in the guide block I5, over which a cable 21extends for attachment at one end to post I6 adjacent its lower end andfor connection at its other end to suitable counter-weights 28 withinpump housing I0. It will thus be apparent that the filling head I! maybe raised or lowered in adjusting the mechanism to different tank levelsor raised completely out of the way irrespective of the permissiblepivotal movement of arm Pump housing I0, one of the front plates ofwhich is shown removed in Fig. 1, encloses a pump 30 in communicationwith a suitable source of supply, such as underground storage tanks (notshown) by a pipe 3|. The pump 30 is driven by an electric motor 32, andis adapted to discharge into the liquid flow line I2 through pipe 33 anda metering device generally designated by the numeral 34.

The metering device employed in this invention may be of anyconventional type wherein there is utilized a fluid-actuated calculatingmeans to give a visible reading of gallonage pumped and dispensed andthe selling price thereof. Additionally, the metering device is combinedwith means for automatically shutting oif the flow of liquid including apush button control whereby the quantity of liquid to be dispensed canbe pre-set. A preferred form of push button control will be describedhereafter in connection with Fig. 4.

The filling head I1, it will be noted from Fig. 2, comprises a housinggenerally designated as 39, the lower portion of which is divided intothe chambers 40 and 4|, and the upper projecting portion of whichdefines a chamber 42 from which extends a boss 43 for attachment of thehead I! to post I6 by conventional means, such as screws or a threadedcoupling.

The liquid flow line I2 extends into chamber 40 and is connected to avalve chamber 44 from whence the liquid flows through a short pipe 45and into a flexible discharge nozzle 46.

The nozzle 46 is divided into a discharge passageway 41, incommunication with pipe 45, and an air suction passage 48 having anorifice 49 slightly above the discharge orifice 38 of the passageway 41.The nozzle 46 is adapted to be inserted in the filling spout 36 of thevehicle tank 31 (see Fig. 1) and is provided with a resilient conicalwasher or gasket I0 at the connection of the nozzle 46 to filling headchamber 40. This passageway 55 formed as an integral part of the wall ofchamber 42 provides the means of establishing communication betweenchamber 4| and air suction line I3.

A pair of spaced-apart flexible air pressure diaphragms 60 and 6| aremedially disposed within chamber 4|, being fastened at their edges bymeans of bolts 62 to the two sides of a flange 63 extending inwardlyfrom the inner surface of the housing wall 64 of chamber 4|. A portionof flange 63 is formed integrallywith the wall 65 of passageway 50. Thisdisposition of the diaphragms serves to set oil from chamber 4| a lowercompartment II, the former sealed against atmosphere and the latter opento atmosphere through the bottom plate 66 having apertures 61 thereinand secured to the housing by screws 12 or other conventional means.

As will'be noted from Fig. 2 of the drawings,

the air pressure diaphragms are utilized to enclose entirely anelectrical contactor I4 which might arc when breaking and cause anexplosion of the gasoline vapors.

A starting switch I5 is enclosed within chamber 42. A sealing gasket I6is provided around the push button shaft II of the starting switch I5,and gaskets I9 and are disposed about leads from chamber 42 to thediaphragm enclosed switch I4 and to a solenoid 8| controlling a valve 82operable in valve chamber 44.

Returning now to the sequenc of operations: When a car drives into astation for the purchase of gasoline, the attendant adjusts the fillinghead height to permit insertion of the nozzle 46pinto the filling spout36 of the gasoline tank 31, having due regard for differences in theyear and make of the particular car. some of the older models will notpermit full insertion of nozzle 46 and yet completely fill the tank, andin such cases it is only necessary to raise the filling head stillhigher in making the adjustment. He then pushes the proper combinationof buttons I and 2 (see Fig. 1) to give the desired number of gallons intens and unit gallons, respectively, or presses the Fill button 4 tofill the tank when the exact amount required is unknown. Obviously, anadditional row of buttons, not shown, might be provided for tenths ofgallons as many customers make even money purchases calling forfractional amounts of gasoline. The attendant then pushes the startingcontactor I5, applying current to relay 93, which picks up closing itscontacts I08, I09 and H0. Closing contact I08 energizes the valveopening solenoid 8| through voltage divider 94, opening valve 82 andallowing gasoline to flow through nozzle passageway 41.

The counterweighted supporting system causes the filling head I! toholdits position until it is purposely moved by the operator, and the flowof gasoline will shut off automatically at the desired quantity or whenthe tank is full, whichever condition occurs first. Hence, the operatoris free to perform the incidental services referred to above while thefilling is in progress.

The relay contacts I08, I09, and H0 are closed by energizing relaysolenoid 93, whose controlling circuit is through push button contactorsI I I,

I I2, pressure diaphragm contactor I4, and through one of its owncontacts I8 (Figs. 3 and 4). A conventionalized circuit has been shown,and it is to be understood that the circuit embodied in Fig. 4 is butone of the ten multiple circuits embodied in each of the separatemetering indicators; as the fractional gallonage indicator, the unitsgallons indicator and the tens of gallons indicator. These operate inmultiple so that the pumping continues until each of the cam wheels II4has turned to allow It will be obvious that notch M5 to engage roller 3and open the particular contactor 2 which is in series with thecontactor III of the particular button pushed for gallonage.

Conventional means are employed to release the button locking mechanismshown in Fig. 4. As this release after delivery of the proper gallon'ageis accomplished by means well known in the art, it will not be set forthin detail here.

It is desirable to reduce the full line voltage before applying it torelay coil and other solenoid circuits becaus high voltage may causeexcessive arcing at their controlling contactors. Therefore, a voltagedivider 94 (Fig. 3) is used to lower the voltage to relay coil 93 and tovalve solenoid 8|. This object may be accomplished by various otheraccepted means, such as, for example, by using one or more separatebatteries.

When the starting contactor I5 is closed, current is applied directlythrough gallonag selec tion push button contactors I I and the meteringdevice contactors H2 to the relay solenoid 93. The relay picks up andcloses its contacts I08, I09 and I I0. is released, it will be notedthat the current for relay solenoid 93 continues to flow through thepush button and metering device contactors III and N2, the normallyclosed pressure diaphragm contact I4, and through the relay contact I08,which acts as a stick contact and prohibits the relay from pickingitself up again once it has dropped away. This is necessary to insurestoppage of fuel delivery at the desired tank level, as contact I4 opensbut momentarily when diaphragm 60 flutters under change of pressure inchamber 4| when the liquid rises enough to close the orifice 49.

Relay contacts |I (shown in multiple) apply current to electric motor32, which drives liquid pump 30 and air suction fan 5. Relay contact I09closes the circuit which applies current to valve solenoid 8| (Figs. 2and 3) to retract a plunger 95 fixed to valve 82, and to hold it openagainst the closing action of a resilient spring 96. This permits pump30 to force gasoline through line I2, valve body 44, pipe 45, and nozzlepassage 41 into the gasoline tank 31. At the same time, air is exhaustedfrom the gasoline tank by an air suction fan run by motor 32 and actingthrough the suction line I3, chamber 4| passage 50, and nozzle suctionpassage 48. As the exhaustion of air from the gasoline tank will beslightly in excess in volume to the volume of gasoline pumped in,explosive vapors will be removed from the gasoline tank and itsvicinity. A stack, not shown, carries the vapors away from suction fan 5to a safe exhaust position. This removal of explosive vapors from alocation where men often smoke and light matches, is a factor of safetythat should not be overlooked.

The mechanism for preventing an overflow in delivery is combined withthat for delivering a full tank when the exact quantity required isunknown. In each case, the valve 82 is closed, cutting off the gasolineflow at the nozzle, and the pumps are stopped, through the action of thediaphragm 60 and the switch I4 enclosed therein.

When the Fill button 4 is pressed, valve 82 is opened and the motor 32energized through a contactor I20 by-passing the gallonage selectionbutton contactors III and H2. Gasoline is then pumped into the tankuntil the level rises enough to cover the orifice 49 of nozzle air duct48. This will cut oif air withdrawal through duct 48, and will cause asudden exhaustion of air from cham- Now, when the startin contactor I5her 4|, with the result that diaphragm 60 will be drawn upward, andswitch 14 opened. This will immediately cut off the current throughsolenoid 8|, allowing spring 96 to close valve 82, and preventingfurther gas delivery. As said above, the baffie 53 is located in passage50 to stop any liquid gasoline that might be drawn up from the tank 31before the diaphragm enclosed switch I4 has had time to act. A veryslight air pressure differential in chamber 4| is sufficient to actuatediaphragm 60.

When the required gallonage has been miscalculated, the rising of thetank level to close air duct aperture 49 acts in the same fashion toprevent overflow.

A preferred form of switch for use in the metering device is shown inFig. 4. Here a push button 99, corresponding to buttons I and 2 of Fig.1, is shown extending through a standard front panel I00 and inner panelIOI, and urged into a normal forward position by a spring I02. Whenbutton 99 is pushed inwardly to determine the quantity of gasoline to bedelivered, a notch I04 on push button shaft I05 engages a pin I05 on alocking bar I01 urged downwardly by a spring I03. This engages pushbutton shaft I05 with a contactor II closing the circuit (see Fig. 3-also) through that contactor and through the proper one of contactors II2 controlled by the engagement of a roller |l3 with a rotary cam 4having a notch 5.

A plurality of cam rollers ||3, each with its associated contactor H2,is disposed about each cam II 4. Each roller I I3 is urged in turn intothe notch 5 as cam I|4 rotates, by its associated spring IIG, openingthe associated contactor 2. When the particular contactor ||2 energizedthrough the contactor I I by operation of the appropriate push button 99is opened, the circuit is broken, This in turn de-energizes the solenoid8| and permits closure of valve 82.

Conventional means, not shown, unlock the push buttons 99 to restorethem to their initial position under the urging of springs |02. It willbe obvious that the cams II 4 may be formed integrally with, or attachedto, the registering dials 6 of the metering unit.

It will thus be seen that I have invented a new form of gasolinedispensing device, useful equally with any inflammable liquid, by meansof which any desired number of gallons and fractions thereof may bedelivered to a customer or his tank filled without requiring thecontinuous attention of the service station attendant. This releases himfor other services to the car owner, and reduces materially the timewhich the car owner must spend in waiting for service. It uses theclosed circuit principle of operation, so that any electrical failurewill stop further delivery of gasoline, and automatically prevents anyoverflow. This is done with great safety by enclosing all electricalcontactors to prevent explosions, and by removing explosive vapors fromthe vicinity of the gasoline tank.

The invention claimed is:

1. A device for dispensing measured quantities of inflammable liquid,including electrically operated pumping means and control means forstopping delivery at a predetermined point before overflow of anyreceptacle, comprising a switch, a flexible diaphragm chamber sealedabout said switch and operatively connected thereto, and electricalcircuits connected to said switch arranged to stop said pumping meansand to stop immediately delivery of said liquid when said electricalcircuits fail and whenever a negative air pressure is created about saiddiaphragm chamber.

2. The combination with a device for dispens ing inflammable liquid of acontrol head having liquid, suction, and electric lines connectedthereto, said head comprising a vertically adjustable body supported bysaid device, a nozzle depending from said body, a valve chamber disposedbetween said liquid line and said nozzle, a valve disposed slidablywithin said valve chamber, resilient means for maintaining said valvenormally closed and a solenoid arranged to open said valve whenenergized; an air passage associated with an opening adjacent the lowerend of said nozzle, a resilient gasket disposed about said nozzle andair passage and shaped to close tightly the inlet to a container to befilled with said liquid; an air chamber formed in said body andcommunicating with said suction line and said nozzle air passage, abaiile formed adjacent said nozzle air passage, a closed flexiblediaphragm chambered within said air chamber, air passages formed in saidchamber communicating with one side of said closed diaphragm, a switchmounted within said closed diaphragm, said switch being normally closedand arranged to open at a predetermined negative pressure on saiddiaphragm; and a relay-controlled switch mounted on said body andarranged to initiate delivery of said liquid and to cut off an electricpower failure.

8. A device for dispensing measured quantities of inflammable liquidincluding electrically operated pumping means and control means forstopping delivery at a predetermined point before overflow of anyreceptacle, comprising a switch, a flexible diaphragm sealed about saidswitch and operatively connected thereto, a vapor conduit encasing thediaphragm chamber, and electrical circuits connected to said switcharranged to stop said pumping means and to stop immediately delivery ofsaid liquid whenever a, negative air pressure is created in the conduitencasing said diaphragm chamber.

4. A device for dispensing measured quantities of inflammable liquidincluding electrically operated pumping means and control means forstopping delivery at a predetermined point before overflow of anyreceptacle, comprising a dispensing nozzle communicable with the pumpingmeans, a switch, a flexible diaphragm sealed about said switch andoperatively connected thereto, a vapor conduit associated with saiddispensing nozzle and encasing the diaphragm chamber, and electricalcircuits connected to said switch arranged to stop said pumping meansand to stop immediately delivery of said liquid whenever a negative airpressure is created in the conduit encasing said diaphragm chamber.

BUEL F. TITUs.

